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This article was first published by the Guardian Following the promises of 2015, when governments adopted the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and a new agreement to combat climate change, many had hoped this year would herald an ambitious political atmosphere, with grand self-congratulatory speeches turned into concrete change. It was clearly with this in mind that the UN’s Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) chose “From decisions to actions” as the slogan for its global conference, which took place in Kenya last week. All governments ought to be able to embrace the focus of Unctad – namely to help developing countries mobilise financing for development, and improve global economic governance. Unctad’s roles include helping poorer countries to benefit from trade, stabilise ...

Also published on The Guardian. In a basement under UN Headquarters in New York, the world’s governments are negotiating an agreement that could strengthen the future course for tax systems across the world. It could also dramatically contribute to financing poverty eradication and environmental protection. Negotiations will end with a global summit on financing for development in Addis Ababa next month. A core issue in this heated discussion is whether developing countries have a right to sit at the table when global tax standards are decided. Developing countries demanding change After realising that they lose more money to international tax dodging than they receive in aid, developing countries have demanded fundamental change to the way global standards for cross-border ...